Machine Description

Festival, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1957, represents a classic example of 1950s electro-mechanical pinball design during the golden age of mechanical pinball machines. The machine captured the festive, celebratory atmosphere of mid-century Americana, reflecting the optimistic post-war period when pinball was reaching peak popularity in American culture.

The playfield design featured a carnival/festival theme, typical of the era's preference for bright, engaging themes that resonated with the public's appetite for entertainment and leisure activities. Like most Gottlieb machines of this period, Festival would have featured the company's distinctive mechanisms including the standard two-inch flipper design and reliable electro-mechanical scoring systems that made Gottlieb machines the industry standard for reliability.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Festival represents an important period in pinball history when manufacturers were refining their mechanical engineering and design capabilities, laying the groundwork for future innovations. The machine would have featured the typical characteristics of 1950s pinball including mechanical score reels, bells, chimes, and relay-based logic systems that defined the electro-mechanical era.